Lexus GX470 2006 Starting and Driving / LEXUS 2006 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60B99U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
350Correct
use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in second start mode
(a) Normal driving
1“P” (Park) position2“N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 348.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N”. The engine will not st\
art
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
“START”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
351
1Brake pedal2“D” (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the “4” position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(b) Using engine braking”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
352
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the “4” position. The transmission will downshift
to fourth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. If
you need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 365.
2Shift into the “3” position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and stronger engine braking
will be enabled.
Transfer “H” 139 km/h (86 mph) “L” 54 km/h (33 mph)
3Shift into the “2” position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and more powerful
engine braking than that of “3” position will be enabled.
Transfer “H” 94 km/h (58 mph)“L” 36 km/h (22 mph)
4Shift into the “L” position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and maximum engine braking
will be enabled.
Transfer “H” 40 km/h (24 mph) “L” 15 km/h (9 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.

STARTING AND DRIVING
353
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference:
Transmission Transfer
“L” “H”
“3” 60 km/h (37 mph) 154 km/h (96 mph)
“2” 41 km/h (25 mph) 105 km/h (65 mph)
“L” 24 km/h (15 mph) 61 km/h (38 mph)
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
1Brake pedal2“R” (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
When the shift lever is shifted into “R” position, the outside rear
view mirrors automatically down to help backing up. For
details, see page 204.

STARTING AND DRIVING
354Vehicles with rear view monitor system —
When the selector lever is shifted into “R” position with the
ignition switch in the “ON” position, rear view monitor system
will
activate. For instructions, see “Rear view monitor system”
on page 358.
(e) Parking
1Brake pedal
2Parking brake lever
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Apply the parking brake fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into “P” under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control
may result.

STARTING AND DRIVING
355
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 453.
(h) Driving in second start mode
In the second start mode, the transmission system shifts up
from second gear. Use this mode when starting your vehicle
in sand, mud, ice or snow.
To set the second start mode, push the “2nd STRT” switch. In
the second start mode, the “2nd STRT” indicator light comes
on. To cancel the second start mode, push the “2nd STRT”
switch once again.

STARTING AND DRIVING
356
FOURWHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(a) Fourwheel drive control
Use the fourwheel drive control lever and center
differential lock switch to select the following transfer and
center differential modes.
The “H” and “L” position of the four −wheel drive control lever
provides either lock or unlock mode of the center differential
depending on the center differential lock switch position.
Use the center dif ferential lock system if your wheels get stuck
in a ditch, or when you are driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface. When the center differential is locked, the vehicle
stability control system is automatically turned off and the
center dif ferential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator lights come on
because the function that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock switch is turned
on, the “VSC OFF” indicator light comes on. After the
wheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpy
surface, turn the center differential lock switch off.
Make sure the center differential lock indicator light and
vehicle stability control system off indicator light turn
off.
“H” (high speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at “H”, center differential lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of roads, from dry
hard−surfaced roads to wet, icy or snow −covered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
“H” (high speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at “H”, center differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you experience a loss of
power, such as wheel slipping, in the center differential unlock
mode.
“N” (neutral position): Lever at “N”
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be
stopped.

STARTING AND DRIVING
357
“L” (low speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at “L”, center differential lock switch left out
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for climbing
or descending steep hills, off
−road driving, and hard pulling in
sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that occurs when the wheels
are negotiating a sharp corner is further reduced than in the “L”
(low position, center differential locked) mode.
“L” (low speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at “L”, center differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for hard
pulling in situations the vehicle cannot negotiate even in the “L”
(low speed position, center differential unlocked) mode. Also,
using this mode when driving down steep off −road inclines will
help contribute to increased vehicle stability.
The indicator light tells when the differential lock is engaged.
Note that the differential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the indicator blinks. If the
indicator light does not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight ahead while accelerating
or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
The center differential lock system operation is not completed
within 5 seconds while the cruise control system is set, cancel
the cruise control system. To cancel the cruise control system,
see “Cruise control” on page 362. If the indicator light does not go off when you push out the
center differential lock switch, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
See “(b) Shifting procedure” for further instructions.
(b) Shifting procedure
To shift between unlock and lock modes in “H”,
push the
center differential lock switch.
To shift between unlock and lock modes in “L”, push the
center differential lock switch.
To shift between “H” and “L”, stop the vehicle, put the
transmission into “N” and move the four −wheel drive control
lever.
CAUTION
Never move the fourwheel drive control lever if wheels
are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.

STARTING AND DRIVING
358
NOTICE
For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads,
unlock the center differential. To prevent damage to the
center differential lock system, do not push the center
differential lock switch when the vehicle is cornering or
when its wheels are spinning freely of f the ground. If the
indicator light does not go off when unlocking the
center differential, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by
displaying an image of the rear of the vehicle while
backing up. The displayed image on the screen is a
horizontally reversed mirror image of the inside rear view
mirror.
To display the rear view image on the screen, place the
selector lever in the “R” position when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
If you move the selector lever out of the “R” position, the screen
returns to the previous screen. Operating another function of
the navigation system will display another screen.
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device
intended to assist back up. When backing up, be sure to check
behind and all around the vehicle visually.

STARTING AND DRIVING
359
CAUTION
Never depend on the rear view monitor system
entirely when backing up. Always make sure your
intended path is clear.
Use caution just as you would when backing up any
vehicle.
 Never back up while looking only at the screen. The
image on the screen is different from actual
conditions. Depicted distances between objects and
flat surfaces will differ from actual distances. If you
back up while looking only at the screen, you may hit
a vehicle, a person or an object. When backing up, be
sure to check behind and all around the vehicle
visually and with mirrors before proceeding.
 Do not use the system when the back door is not
completely closed.
 If the back of the vehicle is hit, the position and
mounting angle of the camera may change. Be sure
to have the camera’s position and mounting angle
checked at your Lexus dealer.
 If the temperature changes rapidly , such as when hot
water is poured on the vehicle in cold weather, the
system may not operate normally.
 If the camera lens becomes dirty, it cannot transmit
a clear image. If water droplets, snow, or mud adhere
to the lens, rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth.
If the lens is extremely dirty, wash it with a mild
cleanser and rinse.
 Use your own eyes to confirm the vehicle’s
surroundings, as the displayed image may become
faint or dark, and moving images will be distorted, or
not entirely visible when the outside temperature is
low. When backing up, be sure to check behind and
all around the vehicle visually and with mirror before
proceeding.